CLAY COUNTY, Fla. – The Clay County Sheriff's Office is searching for a registered sexual predator.
Kurt Eric Helmich, 48, who has an arrest warrant from Jacksonville, was living in Keystone Heights as of June 19. Deputies said Helmich fled from felony probation after committing crimes against children.
Deputies believe he could be anywhere.
Helmich is described as 5 feet, 7 inches tall, weighing around 130 pounds with brown hair and brown eyes. He has tattoos on his left arm, chest and back.
State records show Helmich was convicted of four separate sex crimes between 2014 and 2016 -- two in Clay County and two in Duval County.
News4Jax crime and safety expert Ken Jefferson said Helmich's best bet is to turn himself in before the wrong person recognizes him and does something drastic instead of alerting law enforcement.
“People who are not even related to that family or those children who are victims will take these kinds of things personal and take matters in their own hands," he said.
According to Jefferson, people believed to be on the run will typically lay low during the day and move around at night.
Anyone who sees Helmich is asked to call 904-264-6512 or leave a “crime tip” with First Coast Crime Stoppers at 1-866-845-TIPS (8477).
🔺UPDATE: Kurt Helmich is in custody. Thank you to everyone who helped in locating and bringing this case to a close....
Posted by Clay County Sheriff's Office, Florida on Tuesday, July 23, 2019